Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Slap on the optional chin spoiler and bikini fairing and the Marauder really looks like it belongs on the strip. With the latest trend being retro, big, fat and burly cruisers, Suzuki has remained faithful to its aging 800 and 1400 Intruder cruisers. Though looking a bit outdated, the Intruders still have a faithful following for those who still prefer.that chopper look. Those who don't now have the Marauder to consider. Perhaps the biggest news about the Marauder is its suggested retail price. Up until now, if you wanted to buy into that trendy, retro look, it would cost you. But not anymore. Suzuki kept the price of the Marauder down, 0 now you can have a retro bike for a retro price. At $5,999, the Marauder is, in our opinion, an excellent buy. The Marauder's 805cc, liquid-cooled V-twin powerplant is basically a chaindriven version of the 800 Intruder's motor. The top end is the same except for a few visual differences, the cylinders being painted black and the fins meticulously polished. The valve covers have been chromed, too, as well as the rectangular airbox lid mounted on the right side of the motor between the two cylinders. However, the crankcase is changed considerably, much of which has to do with the Marauder going to a chaindrive system, rather than a shaft drive that propels the Intruders. As a result, the lower end in the Marauder is more compact since a secondary drive system is no longer necessary. It now holds a quart less oil. The four-valve, SOHC cylinders, which of course feature Suzuki's Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber, breathe through the same two 36mm Mikuni carburetors found on the 800 Intruder, and the spent gasses exit through two new, stacked exhaust pipes. The left pipe crosses underneath the engine and tucks in below the right-side pipe at the swingarm pivot. An all-new radiator is used, which Suzuki claims was carefully designed to deal with the big front wheel and fender, which disrupt air flow. The thin radiator is slightly smaller than that of the Intruder and fits in the contour of the frame's front downtubes. From the side of the bike, the radiator is nearly invisible. Plus, the coolant passageways replace external hoses wherever possible. The cable-operated, rack-and-pinion, wet multi-plate clutch is new - again because of the new chain-drive system and features a back-torque-limiter, something the 1400 Intruder has had for 10 years. The back-torque-limiter smooths out downshifting by reducing spring tension and, as a result, nearly eliminates the po sibility of back-wheel chatter and/or skidding while slowing down. The Marauder uses a five-speed gearbox and has a higher overall ratio than the 800 Intruder. A smaller starter motor is used, as is a smaller 10 ah battery, which is far more accessible than the Intruder's battery, which is located underneath the seat. There's even a small storage compartment under there. Suzpki claims the Marauder produces roughly the same amount of horsepower as the Intruder, maybe a horsepower or two more, but has significantly more torque. The Marauder's motor is nestled in an all-new double-cradle steel, blackpainted frame, yielding a low 27.6-inch seat height, a long 64.8-inch wheelbase and an expansive 35 degrees of rake. The swingarm is also constructed of high- tensile steel, made out of box- ection tubing. Rear suspension is handled by two covered and chromed, oil-damped shocks tha t offer fi ve preload settings. An inverted, non-adjustable fork is used up front. Cast aluminum-alloy, three-spoke wheels are found at both ends. Up front is a 3.00 x 16-inch wheel that comes hod with a 130/90 tubeless tire, and out back is a 3.50 x IS-inch wheel and a 150/90 tire. Providing stopping power is a single disc with a twin-piston caliper up front, and a massive drum brake in the rear. In typical cruiser-bike fashion, the Marauder features very little in the way of instrumenta tion. All you see out there is a single speedometer unit (dipped in chrome of course) and three separate oil. pressure, engine-temperature and highbeam indicator lights on the dial's face. All that's left is a neutral light and a blinker light outside the speedo case. The teardrop-shaped fuel tank holds 3.4 gallons and features a flush-mounted, flip-up filler cap. You have your choice of two color schemes: orange/silver or black/green. (Above) The Marauder's 805cc, liquid-cooled, 45degree, V-twin motor is basically the same as the 800 Intruder's, the main difference being that the Marauder is chain driven, the Intruder shaft driven. (Right) The dual-post handlebars help give the Marauder that dragster look and feel. we squeezed out about 135 miles on a tank of gas, before switching over to reserve. But that was including much gas-sucking, stop-and-go riding for the camera. A more steady throttle would have surely improved fuel range. Suzuki had both color schemes on hand and, in our opinion, the orange and silver model looked best. Suzuki says that more optional accessories will be available for the Marauder soon. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to spend a little more time with the Marauder and get to know it a little better. But for now, we have to say that the Marauder i a pretty cool bike - at a cool price. ('X 1997 Suzuki VZ800V Marauder When you first swing a leg over the Marauder, your first thought is that it feels small. Even the vertically challenged will feel right at home on the Marauder, but anyone over six feet might start feeling a little cramped. The handlebars reach out to you but aren't nearly as wide as what we've come to expect from many retro cruisers being pumped out, and they're nonadjustable. The pull-ehoke knob is located on the left side of the bike just above the fron t cylinder's valve cover, and the ignition switch can be found on the opposite side. Hit the starter button and the two cylinders get to work and produce a mild but hearty rumble. You'll notice very little vibration, and once under way you'll be impressed by the Marauder's remarkably smooth ride. The first time through the gears reveals positive shifting action, but you might be a little disappointed in the Marauder's power. We were. Admittedly, Suzuki introduced its latest cruiser in the high altitude of Santa Fe, New Mexico, 0, when we rode the bike, the thin air could have been affecting the Marauder's performance. It still produced decent torque, but its overall power output just didn't live up to its drag-bike image. On the open highway, the Marauder had nc;> problems keeping with the flow of traffic, though. At 70 mph, the Marauder humS along comfortably and (Above) The Marauder is comfortable but taller riders might feel a little cramped. The seat could be better. SpecifIcations Engine type ..... uquKkooled. 45-degree V·twln. SOHC.4·stroke . .83.0 x 74.4mm Displa.a_nt . .805cc Compresllon ratio 10.0:1 Carbunolion . Mikuni 8DS36 (frontl. 8536 (rear) Air claMer Non·woven fabric element LID i.atio , - . . . .. . . . .... Wet sump Igailion . . .. . ElectroniC CIutdI Wet. mufti·plate TAM_lion .. . .S-speed. coostant mesh .O·mg chain Secondary raductioII ratio .3.200 (48/15) Frame ... . ... Double downtube.l1lgh·tenSlIe steel Stearing _ _ .4O-degrees (!eft and nghO Rake/trail 35'/I44.8mm Tuming radius . . .. 10.2 ft. Bore. strob effortlessly with little vibration to speak of. The seat, though, will drive you crazy after a while. There's an annoying hump, or hard spot at the back that will put your heinie to sleep. Taller riders will suffer more than shorter riders. Overall handling is quite good. The Marauder feels light and well balanced, and at speed it holds a straight line extremely well. Even while leaned over in the turns, in spite of the long rake, the Marauder feels quite stable. You really don't notice the kicked-out front end very much at all, not like you do on the Intruders. You don't see the front wheel from the seat, and the bike actually corners quite well. It simply feels steady and table, at both high and low speeds, and front-end feedback is positive. Groundto-peg clearance is adequate, but it really doesn't take too much effort to scrape the tarmac,. . The front brake provides most of the stopping power, though the rear drum holds up 'its end of the bargain just fine. In fact, the rear binder offers excellent feel. We managed to accumulate more than 200 miles on the Marauder on our quick, one-day riding impression, and Drive.,.. ..... . s...pa1lIion .Inverted. telescopic fork Front Rear , .. .swingarm type, dual oil·damped shocks. 5·way preload adj. Brakes Front .. """, . . . . n.... Front . ...Disc. 300mm. dual·piston caliper . Drum 180mm . .130/90·16 tubeless Ilear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .150/90-15 tubeless 0/ A length . 0/A width 0/ A height . W'-IbaIa . . . . . . . . . . . .. . eround clearance . Seat height Dry weight ldaimedl , F'" capacity Colon MSRP \.0 0\ 0\ ..... 93.1 In. 29.5 in. .43.7 In. -.:i 64.8 In. "S u a 5.3 In. 27.6 in. .456 Ibs. . 3.4 gal. Orange/sdver. black/green $5.999 l-< (l) (l) (l) 13

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